Suction cleaner



- Sept;. 3, 1946. K. ACHESON SUCTION CLEANER s Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 26, 1945 INVENTOR. Louis K Acheson Sept. 3, 1946.

l... K. ACHESON SUCTION CLEANER Filed April 26, 1-943 3 sheets-sheet?villi!!!lllllllllvllvlllra 27i!!!Illlllllllillillllll Mn. N. N. Q ms G INW I .I M M W M N w mQ ww m G E wm m I H .H M M HHHO Nu m k. fi w W Q Ra W INVENTOR. Iouis K. Acheson Sept. 3, 1946. K. ACHESON SUCTION CLEANERFiled April 26, 1943 3 Sheds-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. Louis K. AchesonPatented Sept. 3, 1946 PATENT OFFICE 2,406,733 SUCTION CLEANER LouisK.Acheson, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, NorthCanton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application April 26, 1943; Serial No. 484,510

7 11 Claims. 1 r

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and moreparticularly to a new and novel arrangement of parts in a suctioncleaner. More specifically, the invention comprises an improved type ofsuction cleaner in which the dirtladen air stream is drawn by thesuction-creating means of'the cleaner through an initial dirt separatorand is exhausted by the suction-creating means into a finaldirt-separator, means being provided which continuously clean the finalseparator and remove the collected foreign material therefrom andtransfer it back to the initial separator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedsuction cleaner, It is another object of the invention to provide a newand improved suction cleaner of the type incorporating an initial dirtseparator and a final dirt vention is to provide a suction cleaner ofthe type having an initial separator from which air is drawn by. thesuction-creatingmeans of the cleaner which exhaust substantiallycleanair into a final dirt separator and in which a constantly drivenrotary filter-cleaning nozzle removes the dirt from the final separatorand returns it to the initial separator. These and other more specificobjects will appear upon reading the following specification and claimsand upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawings towhich they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are disclosed: V k n Figure 1 is a vertical sectionthrough a suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a transverse horizontal section through the speed-reducingmeans by which the filter-cleaning nozzle is driven from the main motorshaft, being a section taken upon the lines 2-2 of Figures 1 and 4;

Figure3 is a section upon the line 33 of Fi ure 2; V I

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial vertical section 2 through thesuction-creating fan unit and the speed-reducing means, being taken uponthe line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a vertical section through a cleaner 5 constructed inaccordance with a secon preferred embodiment ofthe'invention which ischaracterized primarily by being provided with individualsuction-creating means for the filter-cleaning nozzle.

The usual modern cleaner embodies a'suctionto restrain and retain thedirt while permitting the air to escape into the ambient atmosphere.This usual type of machine has the objection that the dust bag must becleaned at intervals in order that the machine remain operative, for

if not cleaned the resistance to the flow'of cleaning air through thebag becomes excessive thereby reducing to the point of inoperativenessthe flow of air through the machine. Other-types of cleaners have beendesigned incorporating what is called mechanical dirt-separating means,thatwhich created a noticeable dust odor. 'Could the escape of this verysmall percentage of foreign material be eliminated that type of machinewould have certain advantages for a'mechanical separator need not beremoved to be cleaned but instead it is necessary only to remove a dirtcontainer or pan which is very easily emptied;

The suction cleaner of the patent to; Bible 2,247,472 comprises arecognition of this problem and provides a solution which is a materialadvancement over the prior art. The Bible patent provides an initialdirt separator from which cleaning air is drawn by the suction-creatingmeans which in turn exhaust the substantially clean air into a finalfilter. To prevent the undue accumulation of foreign material inthisfinal filter there is provided a manually operable filter-cleaningnozzle which is connectible to the intake of the initial dirt separatorand which,

when in operation, functions to clean the final separator and toreconvey the foreign material therefrom into the initial separator.

The present invention represents an improvement over the construction ofBible 2,247,472 in that it provides, in a cleaner of the basic Bib-1etype, means which continuously maintain the final filter in a cleancondition and which continuously return foreign material from that finalfilter to the initial separator where it can be removed, anagglomerating action having taken place in the collection on the finalfilter. In one embodiment of the invention, as will be hereinafterdescribed, separate suction-creating means are provided for thefilter-cleaning nozzle and which effect the return of the foreignmaterial from that nozzle to the initial separator.

Referring again to the drawings, and to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive inparticular, the first preferred embodiment of the invention isillustrated. A cylindrical main casing I seats, at its centrallyapertured and flanged bottom plate 2, upon a supporting base 3 whichseats a removable dirt pan or container 4, the upper peripheral edges ofwhich are in sealed contact with the bottom plate 2. The upper end ofthe cylindrical casing I is closed by a motor hood 6 which includes aninwardly flanged motor-supporting wall I.

Positioned concentrically within the main casing I is a smallercylindrical casing 9 which is carried by the inner flanged peripheraledge of the bottom plate 2 of the casing I. A transverse closure wall IIdivides the cylindrical casing 9 into a lower whirl chamber I2 and upperfan chamber I3, the latter being itself divided into a lower stage andan upper stage by a centrally positioned deflector I4. Deflector I4 isformed with a multiplicity of fixed guide'vanes which function to directthe air to the central inlet formed therein and which is indicated asI6. The top of the fan chamber I3 is closed by cover plate I1 of thecylindrical casing 9 while the bottom of the fan chamber is providedwith a downwardly extending elongated inlet I8 which reaches downwardlybeyond the mid-portion of the whirl chamber I2. Vertically spacedspiders I9 within inlet I8 support a downwardly extending rod 20carrying a transverse closing plate 2| at its lower end and a strainer22 immediately below the lower spider I9. Plate 2'! is spaced inwardlyfrom the wall of casing 9 and provides a peripheral opening throughwhich the foreign material can drop from the whirl chamber into the dirtpan 4 while the strainer .22 prevents the passage upwardly into thesuction-creating fan chamber I3 of large size foreign objects.

The inlet of the cleaner comprises a port 23 which is adapted to receiveand seat the cleaner end of a dusting tool hose which at its outer endcarries a suitable cleaning nozzle l0. Inlet 23 passes inwardly throughthe outer cylindrical casing I and connects directly to an inlet chamber24 which opens tangentially into the whirl chamber 12. The constructionis such that air entering through the inlet 23 and chamber 24 enters thewhirl chamber tangentially resulting in a circular rotary movement ofthe air which tends to throw the foreign material outwardly and permitsit to drop downwardly and into the dirt pan 4.

Within the suction-creating fan chamber 13 is positioned a two-stage fancomprising a lower rotary fan 26 and an upper fan 2?, both carried bythe downwardly depending shaft 28 of a motor 29 which is carried by thewall I and is positioned partially within the motor hood 9 and partiallywithin the upper end of casing I. The

rotation of the motor shaft 28 causes the tandem fans 26 and 21 to drawcleaning air in through the inlet port 23 and to remove the cleaned air5 upwardly through the inlet I3 into the fan chamber from which it isexhausted through suitable ports 35 into a surrounding chamber which isindicated at 3| and which will be called the final filter chamber for areason which will become apparent. Defining the side wall of the finalfilter chamber 3| and spaced inwardly from the enclosing main casing Iis a cylindrical filter element 32 formed of suitable air-permeabledirtimpermeable material such as filter cloth. Filter 32 is supported atits lower end by a flanged collar 33 fixedly carried by the casing 9. Atits upper end filter 32 is carried by a shouldered portion of acentrally apertured and flanged plate 34 which seats in sealingrelationship upon the lower end of the casing of motor 29 and which isitself fixed in spaced relationship to the enclosing main casing I bymeans of spiders 36 which may be integrall formed. Collar 33 and upperplate 34 form end enclosures for the filter chamber 3I and air escapingtherefrom must pass outwardly through the filter element 32 into thatspace between the filter and the main casing I which space is indicatedby the reference character 31 and which will be referred to as thedischarge chamber.

Discharge chamber 3'! is closed at its upper end by the plate I and atits lower end by the bottom plate 2 of casing I and the only escapetherefrom is afforded by the apertures 38 formed in the casing of motor29 upon the opposite sides of the supporting wall I in the hood 6. Airentering the lower apertures 38 passes upwardly through the motor casingand escapes from the upper apertures and effects a cooling of the motorin doing so which is desirable. The motor hood 6 above the plate 1 isprovided with an exhaust port 38 adapted to receive and seat a dustingtool unit when it is desired to use the cleaner as a blowing unit andserves at all times as the cleaner exhaust port. Incidentally, thedriving motor 29 is provided with incoming power leads 4| which areconnected to a suitable manually operable switch 42 to enable theoperator to control the operation of the motor and so of the entirecleaner.

The machine which has hereinbefore been described comprises a completelyoperative cleaner, but one which has'the inherent defect that no meanshave been provided to clean the filter 32. 55 To accomplish thisdesirable result there is provided, in accordance with applicantsinvention, an elongated nozzle 6.16 the length of which is equal to theheight of the filter element 32 and which is adapted to make slidingcontact therewith. Nozzle 43 has a filter-contacting opening or mouthwhich contacts only a limited area of the filter element 32 in any oneposition and accordingly means are provided to move the nozzle relativeto the filter. This is accomplished by supporting nozzle 46 by arotatable conduit seat 41 which encloses the vertical sleeve 49 housingthe motor shaft 28. Conduit 4! is formed at its inner end with adownwardly facing circular seat which is rotatably mounted upon asupporting bearing 5! carried by the similarly shaped upwardly openingmouth of a stationary conduit 52. The latter conduit is mounted on thetop plate I] of casing 9 and extends across the top and down the sidethereof to connect to the inlet chamber 24 of the whirl chamber- I2. Itis undesirable that the filter-cleaning nozzle 46 should rotate and moveover the surface of the final filter 32 at a speed approaching the speedof rotation of the fan or motor shaft 28 and accordingly speed-reducingmeans are provided to enable the motor to drive the nozzle but at, areduced speed. These means, including aworrn 56 carried by the motorshaft 28, are positioned within a housing 51 located immediately belowthe motor 29. Shaft-enclosing sleeve 49 is provided with a slot-likeopening 58 adjacent worm 56 and extended through this opening and intoengagement with the worm 56 is a gear 59 carried by a transversehorizontal jack shaft 6| which is itself rotatably mounted in bearings63 carried by brackets 62 supported from the top wall of the housing 51.Shaft 6| itself carries a worm 64 at a point spaced from its gear 59 andthis worm'in turn meshes with a gear 66 carried by a second and verticaljack shaft 61. Shaft 61 is rotatably mounted in bearings 68 carried inthe upper and lower walls of housing 51 and is continuously rotated. Agear 69 is fixedly connected to shaft 61 near its lower end andtransmits the continue ous driving force from shaft 61 to a large gear Hwhich carries a bearing 12 rotatably seating upon the sleeve 49. Gear 69is fixedly connected to the conduit-seat 41 of nozzle 46 by means ofsuitable rivets 13. A coil spring 14 surrounds the sleeve 49 and exertsa downward force upon the top of the bearing 12 and thereby forces theconduit seat 41 against its supporting bearing a suitable shoulder 16being provided upon the sleeve 49 to seat the spring.

The operation of this first preferred embodiment of the invention is asfollows: The operator having attached suitable dusting tools including aflexible hose 5 and a nozzle I0 to the inlet 23 of the machine, closesthe electrical switch 42 thereby causing electrical current to passthrough the driving motor 29. The rotation of the motor shaft 28immediately ensues and with it the rotation of the suction-creating fans26 and 21 within the chamber I3. Air and dirt are drawn through thecleaning nozzle, the dusting tool hose, the inlet port 23 and into thewhirl chamber I2, in which its circular motion causes the foreignmaterial suspended therein to be thrown radially outward under theaction of centrifugal force and it drops downwardly and around theperipheral edge of the plate 2| into the pan 4. The clean air is drawnupwardly through the inlet I8 by the action of the fans 26 and 21 and isexhausted from the second stage fan 21 intothe final filter chamber 31.From the latter chamber it passes outwardly through the final filter 32into the discharge chamber 31 leaving upon the filter 32 that very smallpercentage of foreign material which has escaped from the whirl chamberI2. The air continues on its way and passes upwardly and through theports 38 of the casing of motor 29 and finally makes its exit at the topof the machine from the motor hood 6 via the exhaust port 39.

During this operation, the filter-cleaning nozzle 46 has been moving atslow speed in a circular path and along the interior dirtied surface ofthe filter 32 and has effected the reversal of the direction of the flowof air through the filter 32 in the contacted area. This reversed flowof air is drawn from the discharge chamber 31 into the nozzle 46 andpasses through conduits 41 and 52 under the suction of the whirl chamberI2 into which conduit 52 opens at the intake chamber 24. As previouslydescribed, the velocity of the filtercleaning nozzle 46 is relativelyslow as the result of the speed-reducing mechanism which is housedwithin housing 51 and which has been described in detail above.

The continuous cleaning of the final filter 32 prevents the backpressure in the chamber 3| from building up beyond a reasonable pointwhich can be controlled by the speed of movement of the nozzle and bythe volume of air flowing therethrough. The return of the escapedforeign material to the initial separator I2 makes possiblesubstantially the entire removal of the returned material for, it hasbeen found, this material in collecting upon the final filter 32 becomesagglomerated, thereby increasing in size and mass.

After the machine has been used for a conside'rable period of time thedirt container 4 will become filled with foreign material and should beemptied. This can be accomplished by removing the top casing I from thebase 3 thereby enabling the pan 4 to be removed upwardly from the base 3or, if desired, pan 4 may be slid transversely from the base, dependingupon the typ of construction which is used.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, the second preferred embodimentof the invention is illustrated and differs primarily from the first thetop of the device and accordingly there is no motor hood at the top ofthe casing IOI which instead is closed by a top plate I06 which iscentrally provided with a suitable removable cover plate I01.

An inner cylindrical casing is indicated by the reference character I08and a separating wall I09 divides the casing I08 into a whirl chamberIII and thereabove a fan chamber 2, there being a downwardly extendinginlet IIO for the fan chamber which is identical to that present in thefirst embodiment. Fan chamber 2 is divided, as in the first embodiment,by the stationary deflector I I3 into a first stage and a secondstagewhich are connected by an inlet II4. I

The suction-creating fans in this embodimentare represented by thereference characters H6 and H1 in the first and second stages,respectively, .both being carried by the depending motor shaft hereindicated at I I8. The top of the cylindrical casing I08 and of the fanchamber H2 is formed 'by a plate |I9 which in this instance directlysupports the cleaner motor I2I, the enclosing casing of which isflanged, as at I22, for heat radiation purposes.

As in the first embodiment the upper or second stage of the fandischarges into a final filter chamber which is here indicated by thereference character I23. The bottom wall of chamber I23 isv formed by aflanged collar |24 secured to the inner cylindrical casing I08 and thetop wall by a flanged plate |26 which is secured at its apertured centerto the cylindrical casing I21 which is carried by the top wall I06 ofthe casing NH. The side wall of the filter chamber comprises the 7filter element I28 which is fixedly secured to the top and bottom wallsI24 and I26 and is spaced concentrically within the enclosingcylindrical casing, Iiii which provides therearound the dischargechamber I29, as in the preceding embodiment. In this embodiment the maincasing I BI is formed with both the inlet port ISI, which extendstherethrough into an inlet chamber I32 forming a part of the whirlchamber III, and

alsowith a discharge port I33, there being no motor hood as in the firstembodiment.

The parts which have heretofore been described in connection with thesecond embodiment of the invention represent an operative cleaner withthe exception of the filter-cleaning means for the final filter, and inthis embodiment of the invention these means differ in material respectsfrom those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment the shaft I I8 ofthe motor extends both below and above the casing and at its extremeupper end carries, within the casing I21, a plurality of rotatable fansI36, I31 and I38 which are separated by stationary deflectors I39.Casing I 21, which is in fact a fan chamber, is formed outlet of fanchamber I21 connects to a discharge conduit M3 which extends directly tothe inlet chamber I3 2 of the whirl chamber III. The filter-cleaningnozzle I42 is again rotated by speed-reducing means driven by thecleaner motor I2 I. This speed-reducing means is positioned within thehousing I55 immediately above the motor I2I and is identical'with thatdescribed in connection with the first embodiment with the exceptionthat it is inverted, that is,- it is reversed end for end being abovethe motor rather than below.

The cleaner-actuating motor I2! is again provided with suitable incomingpower leads Hi3 and a manually operable switch I- I'I which controls theflow of current to the motor and so renders it operative or inoperativeat the operators election. Additionally, and as in the first embodiment,a transverse plate, there indicated by I45, is provided at the lower endof the whirl chamber III.

The operation of this second embodiment of the invention is as follows:Upon the operator closing the actuating switch I I'I, having previouslyattached dusting tools including hose and nozzle to the inlet port I3I,air is drawn through the dusting tool and into the whirl chamber III bythe action of the suction-creating fans H5 and I IT. The incomingdirt-laden air enters the whirl chamber III tangentially and the foreignmaterial is separated as in the first embodiment, the clean air enteringthe fan chamber IIZ through the elongated inlet III The cleaned air isdischarged from the final stage of the suc- .tion-creating fan unit intothe final filter chamber I23 from which it is exhausted outwardlythrough the final filter I28 into the discharge chamber I29 making itsway therefrom via the exhaust port I33 into the surrounding atmosphere.

As in the first embodiment, the filter-cleaning nozzle, here indicatedas I42, is slowly moved in a circular orbit around and in contact withthe interior of the final filter I28 removing foreign materialtherefrom. In this instance, however, the suction to the final filter isprovided by the separate fan unit positioned above the motor andcomprising the fans I36, I31 and I38 of the casing I 21. Here, as in thefirst embodiment, however, the foreign material removed is conveyed viathe conduit I43 into the whirl chamber at the inlet chamber I32. Theadvantage of the separate suction-creating means for the finalfilter-cleaning nozzle lies in the entire air-moving ability of the mainfan unit being available for the drawing of air through thefilter-curtain.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator,suction-creating means to draw air from said initial separator andincluding a fan and a motor directly connected thereto, and a fina1 dirtseparator to receive air from said suction-creating means; adirt-removing unit to remove dirt from said final separator and totransport it to said initial separator and including a movable element,and power-transmitting and speed-reducing means connecting said movableelement to said motor to actuate said element in the operation of saidcleaner at a speed less than the speed of said fan.

2. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator,suction-creating means to draw air from said initial separator andincluding a fan and a motor directly connected thereto, and a final dirtseparator to receive air from said suction-creating means and includinga cylindrical filter element; a dirt removing unit to remove dirt fromsaid final separator and to transport it to said initial separator andincluding a movable nozzle, and power-transmitting and speed-reducingmeans connecting said movable nozzle to said motor to actuate saidnozzle at a speed less than the speed of said fan in a circular orbit incontact with said cylindrical filter element in the operation of saidcleaner.

3. In a suction cleaner of thetype having an initial separator, asuction-creating fan unit to draw air through said initial separator, amotor having a shaft connected to said fan unit, and a final filterinteriorly connected to said unit to receive air exhausted therefrom andincluding a filter element surrounding said shaft; a filtercleaningnozzle interiorly connected to a source of suction and mounted formovement about said shaft in contact with said filter element, andpower-transmitting speed-reducing means connecting said nozzle to saidshaft to move said nozzle during the operation of the cleaner.

i. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial separator, asuction-creating fan unit to draw air through said initial separator, amotor having a shaft connected to said fan unit, said fan unit beingpositioned between said initial separator and said motor, and a finaldirt separator enclosing said fan unit; dirt-collectingand-removingmeans movable in said final separator to carry dirt to said initialseparator, and power-transmitting speed-reducing means connecting saiddirt-collecting-and-removing means to said motor shaft.

5. In a suction cleaner of the type including an initial separator, asuction-creating fan unit to draw air through said initial separator, amotor having a shaft connected to said fan unit, said fan unit beingpositioned between said initial separator and said motor, and a finaldirt separator to receive air exhausted from said fan unit and includinga filter element spaced radially with respect to said motor shaft; acleaning nozzle movable relative to said filter element, air conductingmeans connecting said nozzle in all positions to the inlet of saidinitial separator,

and power-transmitting means connecting said nozzle to said motor shaft.

6. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initia1 separator, asuction-creating fan unit to' draw air through said initial separator, amotor having a shaft connected to said fan unit, a final filterinteriorly connected to said unit to receive air exhausted therefrom andincluding a filter element surrounding said shaft, an enclosing casing,an inlet port to said initial separator extended through said casing,and an outlet port to discharge air exhausted from said final separator;a rotary cleaning nozzle adapted to rotate about said motor shaft incontact with said filter element, an air-conducting nozzle seatenclosing said motor shaft and supporting said nozzle for rotation,power-transmittin speedreducing means connecting said nozzle to saidshaft to rotate said nozzle at reduced speed, and air-conducting meansconnecting said nozzle seat to said initial separator.

7. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator,suction-creating means to draw air from said initial separator andincluding a fan and a motor directly connected thereto, and a final dirtseparator to receive air from said suction-creating means; adirt-removing unit to remove dirt from said final separator, secondsuction-creating means driven by said motor connected to saiddirt-removing unit to draw air therethrough, air-conducting meansconnecting the exhaust of said second suctioncreating means to saidinitial separator, and power-transmitting means connecting saiddirtremoving unit to said motor to actuate said unit at reduced speed inthe operation of the cleaner.

8. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator, a,final dirt separator, and a cleaning nozzle movable with respect to saidfinal separator to collect foreign material therefrom; a pair ofsuction-creating fan units, one of said units being connected to drawair from said initia1 separator and to exhaust it in said finalseparator, the other of said units being connected to draw air throughsaid nozzle and to 10 exhaust it in said initia1 separator, and adriving motor connected to said suction-creating units.

9. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator, afinal dirt separator, and a cleaning nozzle movable with respect to saidfinal separator to collect foreign material therefrom; a pair ofsuction-creating fan units, one of said units being connected to drawair from said initial separator and to exhaust it in said finalseparator, the other of said units being connected to draw air throughsaid nozzle and to exhaust it in said initial separator, a drivingmotor, and means connecting said motor to said fan units and to saidnozzle to actuate same in the operation of the cleaner.

10. In a suction cleaner, an initial dirt separator, air-conductingmeans to conduct a dirtladen air stream to said initial dirt separatorsuction-creating means to draw air from said initial separator andincluding a fan and a motor directly connected thereto, and a final dirtseparator to receive air from said suction-creating means; a movablenozzle to remove dirt'from said final separator, air-conducting meansconnecting said nozzle to said initial separator to make available thesuction thereof to said nozzle and to transport dirt from said nozzle,and power-transmitting means connecting said nozzle to said m0- tor.

11. In a suction cleaner of the type having an initial dirt separator,suction-creating means to draw air from said initia1 separator andincluding a motor, and a stationary final dirt separator including afiltering surface to receive air from said suction-creating means; firstair-conducting means to conduct a dirt-laden air stream to said initia1dirt separator, second air-conducting means to convey an air stream fromsaid final dirt separator to said initial dirt separator, and nozzlemeans driven by said motor to dislodge foreign material from the surfaceof said final dirt separator for conveyance through said secondair-conducting means to said initial dirt separator during the operationof the cleaner.

LOUIS K. ACHESON.

